Cryogenic distillation comprising vacuum insulation panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cryogenic insulation technologies, such as cold boxes, are bulky and costly due to the need for extensive external structures and thick insulation, which restrict accessibility and increase investment costs, while also requiring substantial space and labor for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a secondary insulation with lower thermal conductivity, in the form of vacuum insulation panels, is used in conjunction with the main insulation to reduce the required space, thickness, and size of the insulation structure, while maintaining effective heat loss control and accessibility by applying it locally on specific equipment surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cold box insulation is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but structure volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines vacuum insulation panels with traditional powder insulation (perlite) to create a hybrid insulation system. The vacuum panels provide superior insulation with lower thermal conductivity, allowing reduction of overall insulation thickness and structure volume while maintaining or improving thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies vacuum insulation panels selectively at specific locations where heat loss is most critical, such as at the ends of equipment or at points closest to the external structure, rather than uniformly insulating the entire cold box. This localized approach reduces overall material usage and structure volume.
2Loss of energy
If cold box insulation is used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid insulation system combines expensive vacuum panels with cheaper powder insulation, achieving superior thermal performance at lower overall cost compared to using vacuum panels exclusively, while also reducing structure size and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
By applying vacuum insulation panels only at critical heat loss locations rather than throughout the entire structure, the patent reduces material costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective thermal insulation performance.
3Loss of energy
If thick insulation is used, then heat loss control is improved, but accessibility to equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insulation system into modular components, with vacuum panels installed in segments at specific locations. This segmentation allows for easier access to equipment by removing only specific panel sections rather than draining entire volumes of powder insulation.
Solution Approach 2:
By concentrating insulation efforts at critical locations rather than uniformly thick insulation throughout, the patent maintains effective heat loss control while minimizing the insulation volume that would need to be removed for equipment access.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the volume and cost of the insulation structure by up to 20-30% and allows for easier maintenance access by minimizing the need to remove extensive insulation, while maintaining efficient thermal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary insulation of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, and characterized in that the second insulation is in the form of at least one vacuum insulation panel
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic installation unit comprises at least one item of equipment to be thermally insulated, a structure for containing the at least one item of equipment, a main insulation contained in the structure and, associated with this main insulation, a secondary insulation of lower thermal conductivity than the main insulation, said secondary insulation consisting of a vacuum insulation panel.